Harvest Moon Shines on Mount Liberty

By Editor | September 30, 2026 |

Mt. Liberty News
By Angela Bratton

The message Bro. Grant brought us this week was titled “Look and Live.” Our Bible verse of focus was Numbers 21:4-9. In this section of Scripture, we see the Israelites are wandering through the desert. They are tired, frustrated, have lost their patience and are once again grumbling against the Lord, complaining of being freed from Egypt only to starve in the desert. They complain about the bread from heaven that God has provided.

So, what’s next? Snakes! Fiery, venomous serpents appear and people begin being bitten and dying. As the venom burns like fire in their veins, they cry out to Moses, confessing their sin against God in their grumbling. God tells Moses to make a fiery serpent of bronze and place it on a pole. Those who are bitten only need to LOOK upon the serpent and they will live. Can you imagine anyone being so stubborn as to NOT look?

The devil is our serpent and sin is the venom. Just as Moses put the bronze serpent on the pole and raised it up for the people to look upon and live, God has placed His Son, Jesus Christ, up on the cross for us to be saved from the venom of sin. We need only to believe and confess our sins and we too will be saved. We partook of the Lord’s Supper during the services to acknowledge this sacrifice. Communion forces us to shift our focus off of ourselves and look to the Lord.

Our special music this week was “Are You Washed?” sung by Grant, with Opal and me singing backup, and with Grant playing accompaniment on guitar and Leigh on bass. Thank you, Jesus, for the precious blood that washes us white as snow.

Now What’s Buzzing in the Mount Liberty Hives? Backroads to dirt roads, find out Mt. Liberty’s breaking news with Leigh Anne Coffey:

We trust you had a great week. Leigh’s family sure did. Never forget when you don’t or can’t see the Lord working in something, it doesn’t mean He isn’t there. He is. It may feel like He shows up at the last minute, but in truth He has been there all along, guiding us in every situation. Thank you, Lord!

We had two birthdays to celebrate this week. The congregation always sings “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating another year.

Pat Watts has reached the speed limit (55) and is just trying to keep it between the lines. Isabella Stewart also celebrated a birthday on Sunday but was unable to be with us. So, Coyanna FaceTimed her so we could all wish her a happy birthday. It is so hard to believe how much she has grown as she approaches those teenage years.

We had our quarterly business meeting Sunday evening at 5, followed by Music Night. We always enjoy singing to the Lord and making our joyful noise.

We will have some traveling take place in October. Gary and Anne will leave for North Carolina with two other couples on Oct. 11. Jonathan and Angela will be leaving for a Gatlinburg vacation on Oct. 10. We ask for prayers for safe travels.

Did anyone see the Harvest Moon? It’s the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox. Welcome fall! God, in His wisdom, provided extra light for gathering crops by setting the moon to rise shortly after the sun sets for several nights in a row. This usually occurs in September but can also land in October depending on the lunar cycle. The Kimzeys and other area farmers have been gathering their crops and clearing their fields. It’s a beautiful sight.

Mount Liberty is beginning preparations for our All Saints’ Day Festival, which will be held Oct. 24. We always enjoy fun, food and fellowship. We have games, prizes, a chili cook-off and the fan favorite — the cake walk! Make plans to join us.

If you are looking for a church to call home, please come to Mount Liberty. We welcome everyone to come and worship with us. We’re not just a church, we’re family.

Posted in Herald Columnists